The Yr of the Linux Desktop has grow to be one thing of a tragic meme in recent times, however the reality is that Linux as an alternative choice to Home windows and macOS has by no means been extra common — each when it comes to complete customers and relative market share of working methods.
A latest evaluation exhibits dips in Home windows, macOS, and ChromeOS whereas Linux steadily climbs upward. See for your self in StatCounter’s common replace on desktop market share with numbers for July 2024.
Word: Right here, “desktop” consists of laptops, all-in-ones, mini units just like the Raspberry Pi which are utilizing a Linux-derived OS, and many others. Mainly something that runs a standard windowed working system. Additionally, StatCounter separates ChromeOS as its personal platform, although it’s technically based mostly on the Linux kernel.
Linux has been on a slow-but-steady rise for years, however as of July, it’s at 4.44 % of the worldwide desktop market. If it retains this tempo up, it might break via 5 % in early 2025.
As Tom’s {Hardware} notes, there’s a small however particular bump in Linux customers for the reason that Steam Deck grew to become a breakout hit for the gaming market in 2022. The Steam Deck isn’t up entrance about its Linux roots, however Valve does use Linux as a base for its SteamOS software program, the identical because it did for the unique console-style Steam Machines.
Home windows stays the de facto normal for PC gaming, however SteamOS is gaining customers at a speedy tempo in keeping with Valve’s personal surveys — and Valve isn’t resting on its laurels, both. Current interviews and launch notes point out that the corporate is engaged on builds of SteamOS for different gaming handhelds, particularly the Asus ROG Ally.
It’s additionally price stating that extra typical desktop and laptop computer customers aren’t precisely thrilled with Home windows as of late. Microsoft’s growing push to get Home windows 10 customers onto Home windows 11, plus increasingly intrusive promoting, plus bloating the OS with “AI” options, plus pokes to improve to subscription providers isn’t successful any followers.
And that’s to not point out all of the customers world wide utilizing cell platforms as their main technique of accessing the web, or the “touchscreen technology” who’re rising up with none curiosity in typical PCs in any respect.
It’s straightforward to see why Linux is turning into a much bigger a part of the dialogue because the relative prevalence of PCs declines for customers, even whereas the full variety of customers continues to extend.
